Bills Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The instability of our laws is really an immense evil. I think it would be well to provide in our constitutions that there shall always be a twelve-month between the ingross-ing a bill & passing it: that it should then be offered to its passage without changing a word: and that if circum-stances should be thought to require a speedier passage, it should take two thirds of both houses instead of a bare majority.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
Frequent changes to laws cause instability and are harmful; a fixed period for bill passage would ensure consistency and prevent hasty legislation.
In simple terms: Changing laws often is bad; set a fixed time to pass bills.
Key Takeaway
Implement a standard legislative timeline.
Themes
law stability
government
process
efficiency
accountability
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parliamentary sessions
- budget approvals
- constitutional amendments
- emergency legislation
Key Concepts
constitutional design
legislative timing
policy continuity
Questions to Reflect On
- How would a fixed period affect crisis response?
- What safeguards could prevent abuse of the two‑thirds rule?
A Different Perspective
Rigid timelines may hinder urgent reforms.
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